Local area network of serial intelligent cells

ABSTRACT

A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC&#39;s interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC&#39;s is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC&#39;s to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that, unlike current bus topology and star topology, there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services. The network can use dedicated wiring, as well as existing wiring as the in-house telephone or electrical wiring.

This is a continuation of parent application Ser. No. 10/178,223, filed Jun. 25, 2002, which itself is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/123,486 filed Jul. 28, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,510, issued Nov. 12, 2002

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to local area networks and, more particularly, to local area network topologies based on serial intelligent cells.

Bus Topology

Most prior art local area networks (LAN) use a bus topology as shown by example in FIG. 1. A communication medium 102 is based on two conductors (usually twisted pair or coaxial cable), to which data terminal equipment (DTE) units 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 are connected, via respective network adapters 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122. A network adapter can be stand-alone or housed within the respective DTE.

This prior art bus topology suffers from the following drawbacks:

1. From the point of view of data communication, the medium can vary significantly from one installation to another, and hence proper adaptation to the medium cannot always be obtained.

2. The bus topology is not optimal for communication, and hence:

a) the maximum length of the medium is limited;

b) the maximum number of units which may be connected to the bus is limited;

c) complex circuitry is involved in the transceiver in the network adapter;

d) the data rate is limited.

3. Terminators are usually required at the ends of the medium, thus complicating the installation.

4. Only one DTE can transmit at any given time on the bus, and all other are restricted to be listeners.

5. Complex arbitration techniques are needed to determine which DTE is able to transmit on the bus.

6. In case of short circuit in the bus, the whole bus malfunctions, and it is hard to locate the short circuit.

7. Addresses should be associated independently with any network adapter, and this is difficult to attain with bus topology.

Star Topology

A number of prior art network devices and interconnections summarized below utilize star topology.

The multiplexer is a common item of equipment used in communication, both for local area networks and wide-area networks (WAN's). It is used in order to provide access to a data communications backbone, or in order to allow sharing of bandwidth between multiple stations. As shown in FIG. 2, one side of a multiplexer 202 is usually connected to a single high data rate connection 204 (“highway”), but several such connections can also be used. The other side of multiplexer 202 has multiple low data rate connections 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214. The ellipsis . . . indicates that additional connections can be made. Each low data rate connection uses part of the bandwidth offered by the high data rate connection. These low data rate connections can be of the same type or different types, and can have different or identical data rates. The multiplexing technique most commonly used is time-domain multiplexing (TDM). However, frequency-domain multiplexing (FDM) is also used.

A popular multiplexer in use is the voice multiplexer, shown in FIG. 3. A pulse-code modulation (PCM) bus 304 handling 2.048 megabits per second, containing 30 channels of 64 kilobits per second is connected to one side of a PABX/PBX 302, and up to 30 telephone interfaces 308, 312, and 316 are connected to the other side via connections 306, 310, and 314. The ellipsis . . . indicates that additional connections can be made. In this configuration, each channel in the PCM bus can be switched or be permanently dedicated to a specific telephone line. An example of such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,077 to Blakeslee.

Similarly a small private branch exchange (PABX/PBX), as shown in FIG. 4, is widely used (usually in an office or business environment) where several outside lines 403, 404, and 405 are connected to one side of a PABX/PBX 402, and multiple telephones 408, 412, and 416 are connected to the other side via lines 406, 410, and 414, respectively. The ellipsis . . . indicates that additional connections can be made. The PABX/PBX connects an outside line to a requesting or requested telephone, and allows connection between telephones in the premises.

In the configurations described above, star topology is used in order to connect to the units to the multiplexer, which functions as the network hub. The disadvantages of star topology include the following:

1. A connection between each unit and the network hub is required, and the wiring required for this connection can involve a lengthy run.

Thus, when adding new unit, an additional, possibly lengthy, connection between the new unit and the network hub must be added.

2. No fault protection is provided: Any short circuit or open circuit will disrupt service to the affected units.

3. The multiplexer can impose extensive space and power requirements.

Computer Interfaces

Various interface standards have been established in order to allow interoperability between the PC (personal computer) or workstation and its various connected elements. These standards usually relate to both mechanical and electrical interfaces, and include industry standard architecture (ISA), extended industry standard architecture (EISA), Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA), intelligent drive electronics (IDE), small computer system interface (SCSI), and others. Each added hardware unit usually utilizes a specific software driver for interoperability with the specific platform. These protocols are applicable to small distances only, and allow units to be housed within or nearby the PC or workstation enclosures. For example, equipping a PC for video capture could involve a plug-in ISA card housed within the PC on the motherboard, a video camera connected to the card, and a software driver. This configuration does not allow remote video monitoring.

Relevant Prior Art

The use of the same wire pair or pairs for both power and data communication is well known, and is widely used in telecommunications, from “Plain Old Telephone Service” (“POTS”) to Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and broadband services in the local-loop including other Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) technologies. Such a concept is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,349 to Marcel, describing using two pairs for such a scheme. A DC-to-DC converter for such DC feeding is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,721 to Yamano et al.

The concept of power line communication (PLC) is also widely known. However, in most cases the connection is similar to a LAN environment, in which a single transmitter occupies the entire medium. Examples of such techniques include X-10 and the consumer electronics bus (CEBus, described in the EIA-600 standard). Much of this technology uses complex spread-spectrum techniques in order to accommodate problematic media (characterized by high amounts of noise and interference). Even with such improved technologies, however, the data rate obtained is relatively low.

Prior art in this field includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,826 to Ratner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,463 to Sargeant et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,454 to Daggett et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,272 to Abraham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,127 to Lee et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,133 to Howard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,801 to Spriester et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,870 to Reyes, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,322 to Lechner et al. Other patents can be found in U.S. Class 340/310 (sub-classes A/R and others) and International Class H04M 11/04.

The concept of using existing telephone wiring also for data communication is first disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,399 to Goodman et al., where video signals superimposed over the telephone signals are used. However, the scheme used is of the bus type and has the drawbacks of that topology. Similarly, the idea of data transmission over a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using the higher frequency band is widely used in the xDSL systems, as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,347 to Litteral et al. The patent discloses an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) system. However, only a single point-to-point transmission is described over the local-loop, and existing in-house wiring is not discussed, and thus this prior art does not disclose how to configure a full multipoint network. Multiplexing xDSL data and the POTS/ISDN data uses FDM principles, based on the fact that the POTS/ISDN services occupy the lower portion of the spectrum, allowing for the xDSL system to use the higher bandwidth.

A home bus network using dedicated wiring is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,349 to Kubo et al., and a home automation network based on a power line controller (PLC) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,221 to Mun. U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,912 to Roberts et al. is the first to suggest communicating data over power lines not in bus topology but as ‘break-and-insert’. However, only single conductor is used, and the receivers are all connected again using a bus topology.

In addition, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/734,921, Israel Patent Application No. 119454, and PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL97/00195 of the present inventor disclose a distributed serial control system of line-powered modules in a network topology for sensing and control. These documents, however, do not disclose a local area network for data communications.

The prior art documents mentioned above are representative examples in the field. Certain applications are covered by more than one issued patent.

There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a means of implementing a local area network for data communications which does not suffer from the limitations inherent in the current methods. This goal is met by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is of a local area network for data communication, sensing, and control based on serially connected modules referred to as “serial intelligent cells” (SIC's). An example of a local area network of such devices according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7, to which reference is now briefly made. In this example, SIC's 700, 702, 704, 706, and 708 are connected by one or more conducting wire pairs (such as a twisted pair 710). This allows chaining, such as SIC 700 to SIC 702 to SIC 704. However, SIC 700, SIC 706, and SIC 708, located at the ends are equipped with single connection. SIC 704 is equipped with three connections, and even more connections are possible. A SIC may be interfaced to one or more DTE's, as illustrated by a DTE 714 interfaced to SIC 700 and by DTE's 716 and 718 interfaced to SIC 704. SIC's need not have an interface, however, as is illustrated by SIC 706 and SIC 702. SIC 702, though, serves as a repeater, connecting SIC 700 and SIC 704. It is to be noted that the networks according to the present invention utilize electrically-conducting media to interconnect the SIC's. Each electrically-conducting medium connects exactly two SIC's into a communicating pair of SIC's which communicate bidirectionally and independently of other communicating pairs in the local area network. Electrically-conducting media are media which transmit signals by conducting electrical current or by propagating electrical potential from one point to another. Electrically-conducting media include, but are not limited to wires, twisted pair, and coaxial cable. But electrically-conducting media do not include media such as fiber optic lines, waveguides, microwave, radio, and infrared communication media.

As noted above, SIC's in a communicating pair communicate bidirectionally. For example, SIC 704 can initiate communication (as a sender) to SIC 702 (as a receiver), but SIC 704 can just as well initiate simultaneous communication (as a sender) to SIC 700 (as a receiver). Bidirectional communication can take place simultaneously, and herein is taken to be equivalent to “full duplex” communication. In addition, as noted above, the communication between the SIC's of a communicating pair is independent of the communication between the SIC's of any other communicating pair, in that these communications neither preclude nor affect one another in any way. Furthermore, every communication between SIC's is a “point-to-point communication”, which term herein denotes a communication that takes place between exactly one sender and exactly one receiver. This is in contrast to a bus-based communication, in which there are many (potential) receivers and many (potential) senders. Consequently, in the topology according to the present invention, there is automatically a termination in the physical layer at each end of a connection (a SIC), both simplifying the installation and insuring more reliable communication.

The topology according to the present invention is superior to the prior art bus topology in the following ways:

1. There is no physical limit to the number of SIC's which may be installed in the network, and hence no physical limit to the number of DTE's in the network.

2. Point-to-point communication allows higher data rates over greater distances.

3. Point-to-point communication requires less complex circuitry than bus circuitry.

4. Several SIC's can transmit and receive simultaneously. For example, SIC 700 can communicate with SIC 702 while SIC 704 communicates simultaneously with SIC 706.

5. There is no need for arbitration, allowing more efficient utilization of the network. Furthermore, priorities can be assigned to each SIC or, alternatively, to each specific message to allow the data routing to take care of priorities.

6. Addresses may be assigned by the network.

7. In the case of failure of any conductor or SIC, the network can sense the fault immediately, and the specific location of the fault (up to the specific SIC pair) is easily obtained.

Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided a local area network for data communication, sensing, and control including a plurality of serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least one communicating pair, wherein: (a) each of the electrically-conducting media interconnects no more than two of the serial intelligent cells; (b) each of the communicating pair includes one of the electrically-conducting media and exactly two of the serial intelligent cells; (c) each of the communicating pair engages in a communication exclusively over the electrically-conducting media; and (d) each of the communicating pair engages in the communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of the communicating pair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a common prior art LAN bus topology.

FIG. 2 shows a typical prior art multiplexer.

FIG. 3 shows a prior art voice multiplexer (star topology).

FIG. 4 shows a prior art voice exchange configuration (star topology).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a SIC for control applications according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a SIC for data communications according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a LAN topology utilizing the devices of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative LAN topology utilizing the devices of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a SIC-based multiplexer—PABX/PBX according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a local area network according to the present invention used as a computer bus extender.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of a local area network according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a representative SIC 500 for use in control applications. A first line interface 502 is a first port for connecting to the previous SIC to receive incoming electrical power and local area network data over electrically-conducting medium 503, which may optionally be connected to an electrical power main 501, so that SIC 500 may be powered from electrical power main 501. Line interface 502 may include the connector, fuse, lightning arrester and other protection such as noise filters, etc. The incoming power/data signal is fed to a first power/data splitter/combiner 504, which de-couples the (high frequency alternating current) data signal from the power. Such a power/data splitter/combiner 504 (denoted for brevity in FIG. 5 as “P/D s/c”) can be implemented by methods well-known in the art, such as using a center-tap transformer, or alternatively with active components. The data signal is fed to a first modem 506 allowing bidirectional communication, while the power is fed to a power supply 520. The above scheme assumes that both power and data are carried by the same network wires (line-powering). FIG. 5 illustrates the case where the SIC is line-powered by alternating current (for example, by the electrical power main), in which case power/data splitter/combiner 504 is an AC power/data splitter/combiner, which separates a low-frequency alternating current power from the higher-frequency data signal. Otherwise, in the case where the SIC is line-powered by direct current, power/data splitter/combiner 504 is a DC power/data splitter/combiner, which separates direct current power from the data signal. In some cases the line-powering method is not used. For example, power can be carried by dedicated lines routed in conjunction with the data wiring. Alternatively, the SIC can be locally powered by a local power-supply. In both cases, the power/data splitter/combiner is not required, and the power lines are directly connected to the SIC power-supply, while the data connects directly to the modems. Parts of the SIC are shown optionally housed within an electrical outlet 524, such that connections to the local area network as well as to the electrical power mains may be made from electrical outlet 524. Electrical power from electrical outlet 524 can be fed to an optional electrical appliance 525. In addition, SIC 500 contains an optional electrical power main feed 505 which can also power electrical appliances or other devices.

Power-supply 520 provides the required voltages for the SIC and payload operation, and also outputs the power to a second Power/data splitter/combiner 510, for coupling to the next SIC. Communication with the next (fed) SIC is performed via a second modem 512 connected to a second line interface 514 via power/data splitter/combiner 510, similar to power/data splitter/combiner 504 as previously described. Line interface 514 feeds to electrically-conducting medium 515, which connects to the next SIC. Modems 506 and 512 can be standard RS-485, RS-232, or any simple similar data interface transceiver. Alternatively, a complex transceiver can be used for achieving long ranges or high-speed operation. CPU and firmware contained in a control block 522 control and monitor the unit operation and communication, as well as control the payload through a payload interface 508 interfacing with a payload illustrated by a sensor/actuator 509. For example, interface 508 can implement a 4-20 ma standard interface. In a similar way, SIC 500 can be used for communication over the power line. To do this, payload interface 508 is replaced by a communication port and sensor/actuator 509 will be replaced by a DTE.

A SIC for use in data communications as shown in FIG. 6 is substantially similar to that used in control applications as shown in FIG. 5, but has some specific differences as noted. Also illustrated in FIG. 6 is the case where the local area network data is carried over electrically-conducting media which are part of the telephone wiring of a building. A SIC 600 has a first line interface 602 as a first port for connecting to the previous SIC to receive incoming power, local area network data, and telephony data via an electrically-conducting medium 603. Line interface 602 may include the connector, fuse, lightning arrester and other protection such as noise filters, etc. The incoming power/telephony/data signal is fed to a first telephony/data splitter/combiner 604 (denoted for brevity in FIG. 6 as “T/D s/c”), which de-couples the local area network data from the power and telephony data. Such a telephony/data splitter/combiner 604 can be implemented by methods well-known in the art, such as using a high-pass/low pass filter, or alternatively with active components. The local area network data signal is fed to a first modem 606 allowing bidirectional communication, while the power (DC) is fed to a power supply 620, and the telephony data is fed to power/telephone interface 624.

Power-supply 620 provides the required voltages for the SIC and payload operation, and also outputs the power to a second telephony/data splitter/combiner 610, for coupling to the next SIC. Communication with the next (fed) SIC is performed via a second modem 612 connected to a second line interface 614 via telephony/data splitter/combiner 610, similar to telephony/data splitter/combiner 604 as previously described. Line interface 614 connects to an electrically-conducting medium 615, which connects to the next SIC. Modems 606 and 612 can be standard RS-485, RS-232 or any simple similar data interface transceiver. Alternatively, a complex transceiver can be used for achieving long ranges or high-speed operation. CPU and firmware contained in a control block 622 control and monitor the unit operation and communication, as well as control the payload through a payload interface 608 interfacing with a payload 609, which may include sensors and actuators. For example, interface 608 can implement a 4-20 ma standard interface. SIC 600 also includes an optional power/telephone interface 624, contained for example in a telephone outlet 625, as well as one or more communications interfaces, such as a communication interface 626 connected to a DTE 628.

In the case of DC line feeding, the power supply may be equipped with a line reversal function (for example, a diode-based bridge) in order to accommodate a possible wire reversal.

Note that a SIC can be implemented as single device with all component parts contained within one enclosure, but does not necessarily have to be so implemented. In the case of a SIC used for data communications or control applications, the hardware may be optionally divided between the SIC module and the DTE/Payload units. In the case of a SIC used for telephone applications, the hardware may optionally be divided between the SIC, the DTE payload unit, and the telephone outlet, such as telephone outlet 625, which allows connections to both telephone services (such as through a telephone 623) and the local area network (such through DTE 628). Telephone outlet 625 may be a wall outlet or jack. All or part of the SIC may be housed within a telephone outlet such as telephone outlet 625, if desired. Furthermore, for SIC's used only as repeaters, a payload interface is not necessary.

Power/data splitter/combiner 510 (FIG. 5) can use various techniques known in the art. Coupling can be implemented, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,391 to Gajjar. Power-supply 520 (FIG. 5) can be connected to the network using dedicated adapter or via specific SIC. The payload can also be connected using standard Ethernet or other LAN interface, hence emulating the network using the SIC's. This configuration makes use of standard interfaces, but operates at higher throughput and data-rates than a conventional LAN.

SIC Addressing

A SIC can include an address. Addresses of SIC's on the network can be assigned via automatic assignment by the local area network itself by algorithms known in the art, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,336 to Smith et al. Addresses can also be assigned via manual assignment, such as by the setting of mechanical switches on the SIC unit. Addresses can also be determined by the DTE connected to the SIC, either by means of higher layers as done in most LAN systems, or physically be means of the connection to the SIC (such as by address lines).

SIC Powering

A SIC can receive electrical power locally, via a power source located near the SIC. However, one power source may be used to power some or all the SIC's in the local area network using dedicated power lines. These lines can be routed with the data communication wires. Alternatively, the same electrically-conducting media (the data communication wires) can be used to carry both electrical power and local area network data to the SIC's, by means of techniques well-known in the art, for example as in telephone systems. In such a case, a unit is required for coupling the power supply to the local area network. This can make use of a SIC (such as SIC 706 in FIG. 7) or in a specific dedicated module. Since electrical power is typically distributed at low frequencies (e.g., 60 Hertz), whereas local area network data is typically at a much higher frequency, electrical power can be combined with local area network data using frequency-domain multiplexing. A SIC can therefore be powered from the electrical power mains, and can also deliver electrical power, as illustrated in FIG. 5 and detailed herein above.

The DTE's, sensors, and actuators connected to the SIC's can also be locally powered from the SIC's, or can use the same power resources via the same channels as the SIC's. Part or all of a SIC can be housed within an electrical outlet so that the electrical outlet allows connection to the local area network as well as to electrical power.

Control

Although mainly intended to be used as communication network, the system according to the present invention can also be used as a platform to implement a sensing, control, and automation system. This is achieved by adding to one or more of the SIC's interfaces to sensors or actuators. The signals received by the sensors are transmitted over the network via logic contained in the SIC's or in the DTE's, which thereupon operate the relevant actuators. This automation function can be monitored by one or more of the DTE's.

The operation of the control may be associated with data communicated over the network (for example, sensing the availability of power to a DTE) or may be independent of it, to allow control decisions to be made locally.

DTE Interface

The DTE interface can be a proprietary interface or any standard serial or parallel interface, such as ITU-T V.35, ITU-T V.24, etc. In addition, a telephone interface (POTS) or ISDN may be used. This can suit intercom or PBX applications.

Fault Protection

The SIC topology described above can be modified to allow for single failure correction. In such a case, the SIC's are connected in a network with redundant paths, such as a circular topology as shown in FIG. 8. In this example, a SIC 800 is connected to a SIC 802, which is in turn connected to a SIC 804, which is in turn connected to a SIC 806, which is in turn connected to SIC 800. When connected in such configuration, any single failure in any conductor, such as in conductor pair 810, will not effect the system operation, as data routing from any SIC to any other SIC can be achieved via an alternate path. The term “circular topology” herein denotes the topology of any local area network of SIC's according to the present invention which contains at least two communication paths between two different SIC's. For example, in FIG. 8, there are two communication paths from SIC 800 to SIC 804: one communication path is from SIC 800 to SIC 802 to SIC 804, and the other path is from SIC 800 to SIC 806 to SIC 804. Circular topology provides redundant communication paths that increase the immunity of the local area network to communication faults. It should be noted that the circular topology according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, differs significantly from the well-known “Token Ring topology” of the prior art, as discussed following.

Although circular topology as defined herein can be superficially similar to the Token Ring topology, there are major differences between them. One difference is in the data framing. The Token Ring uses the same frame structure throughout all communication links in the network, and this requires that the same framing must be recognized by all the cells in the network. In the SIC network according to the present invention, however, each communication link (between any two connected SIC's) is totally independent from all other network communication. Hence, a first SIC can communicate with a second SIC using one type of frame structure and protocol, while the same first SIC can communicate with a third SIC using a different type of frame structure and protocol.

In addition, in a Token Ring network, there is single direction of data flow at any given time from a single transmitter to one or more receivers, and usually, the direction of data flow is constant. The SIC network according to the present invention, however, does not impose any limitation on the data flow in any of the communication links. Full duplex, half duplex or unidirectional communication is possible, and can even vary from link to link throughout the network. This allows the SIC network to support two independent communication routes simultaneously, provided different segments are used. In FIG. 8, for example, SIC 800 can communicate with SIC 802 while SIC 804 simultaneously communicates different data with SIC 806. This capability is not supported by any of the other network configurations.

The above differences affect, for example, the vulnerability of the respective networks to faults. In case of single break or short-circuit anywhere in the medium, the Token Ring network will collapse, disabling any further communication in the system. As another example, in the network disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,690 to Markkula et al. (hereinafter referred to as “Markkula”), this fault affects the physical layer by disabling the media's signal-carrying capability. The Token Ring network will not function at all since the data layer functionality based on unidirectional transmission will not be supported. In contrast, however, a SIC network according to the present invention, will continue to function fully, except for the specific faulty link itself. All other links continue to function normally. Furthermore, the ability to localize the fault is not easily performed either in a Token Ring network or in the Markkula network. In the SIC network according to the present invention, however, it is simple and straightforward to trace the fault to the affected link.

Data Distribution Over Electrical Power Lines

An important configuration for a network according to the present invention uses the electrical power wiring of a building as a communication media. This can be used, for example, to implement an inexpensive ‘home LAN’. Typical house mains have a connection to single feeder with numerous distribution points and outlets. The principles according to the present invention specify a SIC to be located within each outlet and at each distribution point. This will allow SIC-based communications network, where communication takes place between each pair of SIC's connected via the wiring. In such a case it is also expected that the mains will also be used to power the SIC's. Aside from using the same wiring media, the electrical distribution and the communication system sharing the same mains can be totally decoupled.

Another configuration involves adding the SIC to the Mains wiring at points distinguished from the mains outlets. The preferred embodiment, however, consists of using the outlets points for both the electrical supply and the DTE connection points. This involves replacing all electrical outlets and distribution points with ‘smart’ outlets, having both electrical connections and a communications jack. In addition, such unit may include visual indicators (e.g. LED's) to show the communication status, and may also include switches or other means to determine the outlet address. Such a communication system could be used for applications associated with power distribution, as for example to control the load connected to a specific outlet, for remote on/off operation of appliances, timing of operations, delayed start, disconnection after pre-set time period, and so forth. Such a communication system could also be used to monitor the power consumed by specific outlets, such as for Demand Side Management (DSM) or Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), allowing remote meter reading.

The above described topology may also apply to existing wiring. One common example may be power wiring to consumers located in different locations. Such wiring typically relies on bus topology with taps. In order to use SIC technology, the wiring must be broken, and a SIC installed between both ends.

In a similar manner, a communication network employing the electrical power wiring of vehicles and vessel can be implemented, such as for aircraft, ships, trains, buses, automobiles, and so forth.

Implementing a Local Communication/Telephone System Using SIC's

In this application, existing telephone wiring (either POTS or ISDN) is used as the electrically-conducting media for the local area network, and is used for both local area network data communication and for telephony. The term “telephony” herein denotes any telephone or telephonic communication, including both including voice (POTS) and data (ISDN). Telephone outlets are usually connected in point-to-point topology without a distribution point. To set up a network, each outlet is replaced with SIC-based outlet. If there are distribution points, these distribution points must also be SIC equipped. This configuration results in a high-performance LAN between the telephone outlets. Aside from sharing the same media, the local area network can be decoupled from the telephone system. Alternatively, the local area network and the telephone system can be combined, such that telephony is digitally integrated into the local area network data.

The outside telephone service can be treated according to one of the following alternatives:

1. No telephone support. In this configuration, the connection to the network (usually to the public network) is cut, and the network is fully internal, with no external telephone service.

2. Telephone as Payload. In this configuration, the telephone capability is retained, and telephony data may be integrated into the data communication of the local area network. One of the SIC's (usually the one closest to a public telephone network interface) or other dedicated module interconnects (via the communication interface for example) to the network interface (NI). This unit emulates a telephone interface to the NI, so that public network operation is transparent and continues to perform as normal. However, the signals associated with the telephone interface, either the voice itself and the control/signaling (on hook/off hook, ringing, etc.) are digitized and transmitted in the network as data stream, as part of the communication taking place in the network. In the SIC's interfaced to telephones, these signals are converted back to analog (or in any original form) and thus can be used with standard telephones. In this case, telephone functionality is fully retained. However, failure in the communication network may result in loss of the telephone service. This can be improved by means of a system which disconnects the SIC's circuitry and restores the original wiring routing (this can be easily implemented by relays, which bypass the SIC's upon failure detection, manual intervention, or other relevant occasion).

3. Communication over POTS or ISDN. In this method, the electrically-conducting media interconnecting SIC's is the telephone wiring of a building. This method involves the known mechanism ‘POTS Splitting’, currently used in conjunction with xDSL technologies. This requires a filter which separates the low-frequency portion of the spectrum (usually carrying the POTS associated signals and power) from the high-frequency portion of the spectrum (used for communication). In such an application, the AC/DC units in the SIC are replaced with such POTS splitter modules. The low-frequency band (POTS related) is passed transparently (similar to the power pass), and branched to the telephone jack. The high-frequency band is used for the communication between the SIC's. This combining of high-frequency local area network communication on the same electrically-conducting media with low-frequency telephony data is a form of frequency-domain multiplexing.

In the latter two alternatives, each in-wall telephone outlet is replaced with a SIC based outlet having both a telephone jack and one (or more) communication jacks.

Computer Bus Extender

The SIC network can be used as a computer bus extender, such as an ‘ISA bus extender’, as illustrated in FIG. 10. In this configuration, a SIC 1006 is equipped with a computer bus connector 1004 which is connected, for example, to one of the ISA bus slots in a computer 1002, to transport data between the local area network and computer 1002. Another SIC 1010, remotely located, also has a computer bus connector 1012, such as an ISA bus extender. This allows for a transparent ISA bus capability, where the ISA bus data will be transported in both directions over electrically-conducting medium 1008. The ellipses ( . . . ) indicate that additional SIC's and electrically-conducting media may be present in the local area network between SIC 1006 and SIC 1010. Shown as an example, a video frame grabber card 1014 is plugged into computer bus connector 1012, and a video camera 1016 is connected to video frame grabber card 1014. Normally, video frame grabber card 1014 is plugged directly into an ISA bus slot, such as in computer 1002. Here, however, the local area network acts as a bus extender so that video frame grabber 1014 and video camera 1016 can be located remotely from computer 1002. The normal software driver for the ISA bus slot in computer 1002 can used, since computer 1002 is unaware of the fact that only ISA emulation is taking place. This way, the capability of having general remote PC components and peripherals can be easily achieved. This configuration features the above-described advantages, and this method can be used to attain various goals, such as fault protection. Similarly, this method can be used to connect several units remotely to a computer, using different ports in the computer.

Implementing Multiplexers and PABX/PBX Functionality

A network of SIC's may be used to implement a multiplexer or a PABX/PBX functionality, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In this example, a SIC 900 is connected to a high data rate connection, such as PCM bus 916, while SIC 902 and SIC 906 are connected to telephones 908, 910, and 912. SIC 904 functions as a repeater in this example.

In this example, the local area network functions as a multiplexer, wherein the bandwidth of the high data rate connection (PCM bus 916) is multiplexed through SIC 900 to SIC 902 and SIC 906, each of which may use a different portion of the bandwidth of the high data rate connection (PCM bus 916). Moreover, by the addition of telephones 908, 910, and 912, the local area network of FIG. 9 functions as a voice multiplexer.

Other Applications of the Invention

A number of applications of the present invention have been discussed above. Additional applications include, but are not limited to: intercom, PABX/PBX, security systems, video surveillance, entertainment broadcasting services, time (clock) distribution, and audio/video signal distribution. The networks implemented by the present invention can extend locally within a single building or over a neighborhood.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments and applications, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device configured for use with wiring, the wiring being adapted to carry a power signal and an information signal, and the device comprising: at least one wiring connector operative for connecting to the wiring to communicatively couple the information signal to the device; firmware and a processor for executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to said at least one wiring connector; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said at least one wiring connector for transmitting and receiving the power signal, said power supply being configured to power said processor; a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status; and a single enclosure housing said at least one wiring connector, said processor, said firmware, said power supply and said visual indicator, and wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be wall-mountable into a mating wall opening, or an outlet receptacle, or an outlet opening.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the wiring includes power line wiring for carrying the power signal, the power signal is an AC signal, said at least one wiring connector is adapted to connect to the power line wiring, and said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the wiring includes at least one twisted-wire pair carrying the power signal, the power signal is a DC signal, said at least one wiring connector is adapted to connect to the at least one twisted-wire pair, and said power supply comprises a DC/DC converter.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following: a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet; wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet; a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to substitute for a standard outlet.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is addressable in a network.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one manual switch is used to manually assign an address to said device.
 7. The device according to claim 5, wherein said device has an address that is automatically assigning or assigned by a data unit connected to said device.
 8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a power connector coupled to said power supply and connectable to an apparatus for DC powering the apparatus.
 9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one protection component including at least one of a fuse, a lightning arrester and a noise filter connected to said at least one wiring connector.
 10. The device according to claim 1, further operative to provide a standard computer bus interface, said device further comprising a computer connector coupled to said processor.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of: an ISA interface; a PCMCIA interface; an IDE interface; and a SCSI interface.
 12. The device according to claim 1, further operative to couple an analog unit to said processor, wherein said device further comprises an analog connector connectable to the analog unit for coupling an analog signal to said processor, and a converter for converting between analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said processor.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.
 14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.
 15. The device according to claim 12, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.
 16. The device according to claim 12, wherein the analog unit is a telephone unit, said analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.
 17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the information signal is a bi-directional serial digital data signal, and said device further comprises a transceiver, coupled between said wiring connector and said processor and powered from said power supply, for communicating the digital data signal over the wiring.
 18. The device according to claim 17, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical transceivers connected to the wiring.
 19. The device according to claim 17, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single other transceiver over the wiring.
 20. The device according to claim 17, wherein the communication over the wiring conforms to an Ethernet standard.
 21. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one user settable manual switch within said enclosure, operative for device control by a user, and coupled to said processor.
 22. A power outlet device for powering an apparatus, the device comprising: an input configured to receive a power signal; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said input in order to be powered by the power signal; a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status; a DC power connector coupled to be powered by said power supply, said connector being connectable to an apparatus for supplying power to the apparatus from said power supply; and a single enclosure housing said power supply, said visual indicator, and said DC power connector, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be wall-mountable into a mating wall opening, or an outlet receptacle, or an outlet opening, and the wiring includes power line wiring carrying an AC power signal, said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the power line wiring, and said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter.
 23. The device according to claim 22, further comprising at least one protection component including one of a fuse, a lightning arrester and a noise filter connected to said wiring connector.
 24. A power outlet device for powering an apparatus, the device comprising: an input configured to receive a power signal; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said input in order to be powered by the power signal; a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status; a DC power connector coupled to be powered by said power supply, said connector being connectable to an apparatus for supplying power to the apparatus from said power supply; and a single enclosure housing said power supply, said visual indicator, and said DC power connector, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be wall-mountable into a mating wall opening, or an outlet receptacle, or an outlet opening, and the wiring includes at least one twisted-pair for carrying a DC power signal, said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the at least one twisted-pair, said power supply comprises a DC/DC converter, and said device further comprises a diode-based bridge coupled to said wiring connector for accommodating line reversals.
 25. A power outlet device for powering an apparatus, the device comprising: an input configured to receive a power signal; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said input in order to be powered by the power signal; a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status; a DC power connector coupled to receive power from said power supply, said connector being connectable to an apparatus for supplying power to the apparatus from said power supply; and a single enclosure housing said power supply, said visual indicator, and said DC power connector, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be wall-mountable into a mating wall opening, or an outlet receptacle, or an outlet opening, and said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following: a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet; wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet; a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to substitute for a standard outlet.
 26. A serial-to-Ethernet converter device for converting signals between a standard serial interface and Ethernet interface, the device comprising: an Ethernet connector connectable to at least one twisted-wire pair for carrying full-duplex packet-based digital data; an Ethernet transceiver connected to said Ethernet connector for conducting full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single identical transceiver over the at least one twisted-wire pair; a serial connector connectable to other wires for carrying serial digital data; a serial transceiver connected to said serial connector, for conducting serial digital data communication over the other wires; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to power said Ethernet transceiver and said serial transceiver; a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status; and a single enclosure housing said Ethernet and serial connectors, said power supply, said Ethernet and serial transceivers, said power supply and said visual indicator, wherein said Ethernet transceiver is coupled to said serial transceiver for passing information between the at least one twisted-wire pair and the other wires.
 27. The device according to claim 26, further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control said Ethernet transceiver and said serial transceiver.
 28. The device according to claim 26, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be wall-mountable into a mating wall opening, or into an outlet receptacle, or into an outlet opening.
 29. The device according to claim 26, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following: a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet; wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet; a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to substitute for a standard outlet.
 30. The device according to claim 26, wherein said device is addressable in a network.
 31. The device according to claim 30, further comprising at least one manual switch for manually assigning an address to said device.
 32. The device according to claim 30, wherein said device has an address that is automatically assigned or assigned by a data unit connected to said device.
 33. The device according to claim 26, wherein said serial transceiver and said serial connector collectively form a standard serial interface that is one of a RS-232/EIA/TIA-232 interface, a RS-485/EIA/TIA-485 interface and an ITU-T V.24 interface.
 34. The device according to claim 26, wherein said serial transceiver and said serial connector collectively form a standard serial interface which is PCM based.
 35. The device according to claim 26, further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source to receive power therefrom, and wherein said power supply is connected to be powered from said power connector, and said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter.
 36. The device according to claim 26, wherein said single enclosure is structured to attach to a mating fixture arranged to be secured on a wall.
 37. The device according to claim 26, wherein said at least one twisted-wire pair further concurrently carries a DC power signal, and said power supply is coupled to said Ethernet connector to be powered by the DC power signal.
 38. The device according to claim 26, wherein said device is electrically pluggable and mechanically attachable to an outlet.
 39. A coaxial outlet adapted to couple a data unit to a coaxial cable, the cable having two conductors connected to simultaneously carry a digital data signal and an analog signal frequency multiplexed with the digital data signal, wherein the analog signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from the digital data signal band, and the coaxial outlet comprising: a coaxial connector operative for connecting said outlet to the coaxial cable; a data connector connectable to the data unit, for coupling the digital data signal to the data unit; a filter coupled between said coaxial connector and said data connector and operative for substantially passing only the digital data signal; and a single enclosure housing said coaxial connector, said data connector and said filter, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following: a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet; wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet; a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to substitute for a standard outlet.
 40. The outlet according to claim 39, further operative to couple the analog signal to an analog unit, and wherein said outlet further comprises: an analog connector connectable to an analog unit; and a second filter coupled between said coaxial connector and said analog connector and operative for substantially passing only the analog signal.
 41. The coaxial outlet according to claim 39, wherein the filter forms part of an active component of the coaxial outlet.
 42. A telephone outlet for coupling an analog telephone set to a telephone wire-pair in a wall of a building, the wire-pair having two conductors that simultaneously carry a digital data signal and an analog telephone signal frequency multiplexed with the digital data signal, wherein the digital data signal is carried in a frequency band distinct from and higher than the analog telephone signal frequency band, said telephone outlet comprising: a wiring connector operative for connecting said outlet to the telephone wire-pair; a standard telephone connector connectable to an analog telephone set, for coupling the analog telephone signal to the analog telephone set; a low pass filter coupled between said wiring connector and said standard telephone connector and operative for substantially passing only the analog telephone signal; and a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said standard telephone connector and said low pass filter, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening; and wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following: a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet; wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet; a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.
 43. The outlet according to claim 42, further operative to couple the digital data signal to a data unit, said outlet further comprising: a data connector connectable to the data unit; a high pass filter coupled between said wiring connector and said data connector and operative for substantially passing only the digital data signal.
 44. A parallel-to-Ethernet converter device for converting signals between a standard parallel interface and an Ethernet interface, the device comprising: an Ethernet connector connectable to least one twisted-wire pair for carrying full-duplex packet-based digital data; an Ethernet transceiver connected to said Ethernet connector, for conducting full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single second Ethernet transceiver over the at least one twisted-wire pair; a parallel connector connectable to other wires for carrying parallel digital data; a parallel transceiver connected to said parallel connector for conducting parallel digital data communication over the other wires; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to power said Ethernet transceiver and said parallel transceiver; a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status; and a single enclosure housing said Ethernet and parallel connectors, said Ethernet and parallel transceivers, said power supply, and said visual indicator, wherein said Ethernet transceiver is coupled to said parallel transceiver for passing information between the at least one twisted-wire pair and the other wires.
 45. The device according to claim 44, further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control said Ethernet transceiver and said parallel transceiver.
 46. The device according to claim 44, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a mating wall opening, or into an outlet receptacle, or into an outlet opening.
 47. The device according to claim 44, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following: a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet; wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet; a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to substitute for a standard outlet.
 48. The device according to claim 44, wherein said device is addressable in a network.
 49. The device according to claim 48, further comprising at least one manual switch for manually assigning an address to said device.
 50. The device according to claim 48, wherein said device has an address that is automatically assigned or assigned by a data unit connected to said device.
 51. The device according to claim 44, wherein said parallel transceiver and said parallel connector collectively form a PC-related standard parallel interface that is one of an ITU-V.35, ISA and PCMCIA standards.
 52. The device according to claim 44, further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source, and wherein said power supply is connected to be powered from said power connector, and said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter or DC/DC converter.
 53. The device according to claim 44, wherein said single enclosure is structured to attach to mating fixture secured on a wall.
 54. The device according to claim 44, wherein: said at least one twisted-wire pair is connected to further concurrently carry a DC power signal; and said power supply is coupled to said Ethernet connector to be powered by the DC power signal.
 55. The device according to claim 44, wherein said device is electrically pluggable and mechanically attachable to an outlet.
 56. A power outlet for powering an apparatus with a power signal carried over wiring, the outlet comprising: a wiring connector operative for connecting to the wiring; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said wiring connector to receive operating power from the power signal; a power connector coupled to said wiring connector for connecting to the apparatus for powering the apparatus by the power signal; a monitoring device coupled to be powered by said power supply and coupled to said power connector for monitoring the power consumption of the apparatus; and a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said power connector, said power supply and said monitoring device, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a mating wall opening, or into an outlet receptacle, or into an outlet opening, and the wiring includes at least one twisted-wire pair for carrying a DC power signal, said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the at least one twisted-wire pair, and said power supply comprises an DC/DC converter.
 57. A power outlet for powering an apparatus with a power signal carried over wiring that carries the power signal and the data signal to the power outlet, the outlet comprising: a wiring connector operative for connecting to the wiring to communicatively couple the power signal and the data signal to the power outlet; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said wiring connector to receive operating power from the power signal; a power connector coupled to said wiring connector for connecting to the apparatus for powering the apparatus by the power signal; a monitoring device coupled to be powered by said power supply and coupled to said power connector for monitoring the power consumption of the apparatus; and a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said power connector, said power supply and said monitoring device, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a mating wall opening, or into an outlet receptacle, or into an outlet opening.
 58. The outlet according to claim 57, further comprising at least one protection component connected to said wiring connector, wherein said at least one protection component is at least one of a fuse, a lightning arrester, and a noise filter.
 59. The outlet according to claim 57, wherein said outlet is part of a Demand Side Management (DSM) or an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.
 60. A power outlet for powering an apparatus with a power signal carried over wiring, the outlet comprising: a wiring connector operative for connecting to the wiring; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said wiring connector to receive operating power from the power signal; a power connector coupled to said wiring connector for connecting to the apparatus for powering the apparatus by the power signal; a monitoring device coupled to be powered by said power supply and coupled to said power connector for monitoring the power consumption of the apparatus; and a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said power connector, said power supply and said monitoring device, and said outlet further comprises a transceiver coupled between said wiring connector and said monitoring device to communicate a bi-directional serial digital data signal between said monitoring device and the wiring, and said transceiver is coupled to be powered from said power supply.
 61. The outlet according to claim 60, wherein the bi-directional serial digital data signal includes information representing the power consumption of the apparatus as provided by the monitoring device.
 62. The power outlet according to claim 60, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a mating wall opening, or into an outlet receptacle, or into an outlet opening.
 63. The power outlet according to claim 60, further comprising a controller to control the power to the apparatus.
 64. A power outlet for powering an apparatus with a power signal carried over wiring that carries the power signal and a data signal, the outlet comprising: a wiring connector operative for connecting to the wiring; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said wiring connector to receive operating power from the power signal; a power connector coupled to said wiring connector for connecting to the apparatus for powering the apparatus by the power signal; a monitoring device coupled to be powered by said power supply and coupled to said power connector for monitoring a power consumption; and a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said power connector, said power supply and said monitoring device, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a mating wall opening, or into an outlet receptacle, or into an outlet opening, wherein the data signal conforms to an Ethernet standard.
 65. A power outlet for powering an apparatus with a power signal carried over wiring that carries the power signal and a data signal, the outlet comprising: a wiring connector operative for connecting to the wiring; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said wiring connector to receive operating power from the power signal; a power connector coupled to said wiring connector for connecting to the apparatus for powering the apparatus by the power signal; a monitoring device coupled to be powered by said power supply and coupled to said power connector for monitoring a power consumption; and a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said power connector, said power supply and said monitoring device, and said outlet is addressable in a network, and said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.
 66. The outlet according to claim 65, further comprising at least one manual switch used to manually assign an address to said outlet.
 67. The outlet according to claim 65, wherein said outlet has an address that is automatically assigned or assigned by a data unit connected to said device.
 68. The power outlet according to claim 65, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a mating wall opening, or into an outlet receptacle, or into an outlet opening.
 69. A device for monitoring power supplied to an apparatus, for use with wiring that is connected to simultaneously carry a power signal and a bi-directional serial digital data signal, and the device comprising: a wiring connector operative for connecting to the wiring; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said wiring connector to be powered by the power signal; a transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for communicating the digital data signal over the wiring, the transceiver is coupled to be powered from said power supply; a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status; a power connector coupled to said wiring connector for connecting to the apparatus for powering the apparatus by said power signal; a monitoring unit coupled to be powered from said power supply and coupled to said power connector for sensing, monitoring or measuring a power consumption; and a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said power supply, said transceiver, said visual indicator, said power connector, and said monitoring unit, and wherein said transceiver is coupled to said monitoring unit for carrying information representing the power consumption of the apparatus as part of the bi-directional serial digital data signal.
 70. The device according to claim 69, wherein the wiring includes power line wiring for carrying an AC power signal, said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the power line wiring, said power connector is an AC connector socket, and said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter.
 71. The device according to claim 70, wherein said device is part of a Demand Side Management (DSM) or Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.
 72. The device according to claim 69, wherein the wiring includes at least one twisted-wire pair connected for carrying an DC power signal, said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the at least one twisted-wire pair, and said power supply comprises a DC/DC converter.
 73. The device according to claim 69, further comprising at least one protection component including at least one of a fuse, a lightning arrester and a noise filter connected to said at least one wiring connector.
 74. The device according to claim 69, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following: a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet; wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet; a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to substitute for a standard outlet.
 75. The device according to claim 69, further operative to control the power supplied to the apparatus, wherein said device further comprises a power switch coupled between said power connector and said wiring connector, for controlling the supply of power to the apparatus.
 76. The device according to claim 75, wherein the control performed by said power switch is at least one of: timing of the operation; delayed start; or disconnection after a pre-set period.
 77. The device according to claim 75, wherein the control performed by said power switch is remote control over the wiring.
 78. The device according to claim 69, wherein said device is addressable in a network.
 79. The device according to claim 78, further comprising at least one manual switch used to manually assign an address to said device.
 80. The device according to claim 78, wherein said device has an address that is automatically assigned or assigned by a data unit connected to said device.
 81. A network for coupling first and second units in a building to respective ones of first and second bi-directional serial digital data streams external to the building, said network comprising: first wires comprising two conductors at least in part in walls of the building and at least in part external to the building, said first wires being connected to carry the first and second bi-directional serial digital data streams in time-multiplexed form; second wires comprising two conductors at least in part in walls of the building, said second wires being connected to carry the second bi-directional serial digital data stream; a first outlet connected to said first wires, said first outlet being mounted in a wall opening or an outlet opening; a second outlet connected to said second wires, said second outlet being mounted in a wall opening or an outlet opening; a first device couplable to the first unit, said first device being connected to said first outlet for connecting to said first wires and being connected to said second wires, and said first device being operative to couple the first bi-directional serial digital data stream to the first unit and to pass the second bi-directional serial digital data stream between said first and second wires; and a second device couplable to the second unit, said second device being connected to said second outlet for connecting to said second wires, and said second device being operative to couple the second bi-directional serial digital data stream to the second unit.
 82. The network according to claim 81, wherein said first device is attached to said first outlet.
 83. The network according to claim 81, wherein said second device is attached to said second outlet.
 84. The network according to claim 81, further comprising a first single enclosure housing said first device and said first outlet, wherein said first single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following: a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet; wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet; a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to substitute for a standard outlet.
 85. The network according to claim 81, further comprising a second single enclosure housing said second device and said second outlet, wherein said second single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following: a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet; wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet; a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to substitute for a standard outlet.
 86. The network according to claim 81, wherein at least one out of said first and second devices is addressable in said network.
 87. The network according to claim 86, further comprising at least one manual switch used to manually assign an address to said first or second device.
 88. The network according to claim 86, wherein said at least one of said first and second devices has an address that is automatically assigned or assigned by a data unit connected to said device.
 89. The network according to claim 81, wherein said first and second devices are connected in a point-to-point connection over said second wires.
 90. The network according to claim 81, wherein at least one of said first wires and second wires is one of: a twisted-wire pair; a coaxial cable; a telephone wire-pair; and power line wiring, and at least one of said first and second outlets is one of a telephone outlet and a power line outlet.
 91. The network according to claim 81, wherein the communication over at least one of said first wires and second wires is packet-based and full-duplex.
 92. The network according to claim 81, wherein at least one of said first wires and second wires further simultaneously carries a service signal using frequency domain multiplexing.
 93. The network according to claim 92, wherein the service signal is an analog telephone signal and at least one of said first and second outlets is a telephone outlet.
 94. The network according to claim 81, wherein the time-multiplexed first and second bi-directional serial digital data streams are carried over said first wires using DSL.
 95. The network according to claim 81, wherein the first bi-directional serial digital data stream contains digitized telephony data, and the first unit is a telephone set to which the digitized telephony data are coupled.
 96. The network according to claim 81, wherein the second bi-directional serial digital data stream contains digitized telephony data, and the second unit is a telephone set to which the digitized telephony data are coupled.
 97. The network according to claim 81, wherein the first and second bi-directional serial digital data streams respectively carry first and second digitized telephony data and wherein the first and second units are respectively first and second telephone sets to which the first and second digitized telephony data are respectively coupled.
 98. The network according to claim 81, wherein at least one of said first wires and second wires concurrently carry a power signal, and at least one of said first and second devices is at least in part powered by the power signal.
 99. A device for configuring a local area network, the device comprising: first and second ports each providing an interface to a respective one of first and second electrically-conducting media; first and second data couplers each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, and each having a data signal port operative to pass only a data signal; first and second modems each coupled to said data signal port of a respective one of said first and second data couplers, and said first and second modems configured to enable full duplex data signal communication with a respective one of said first and second electrically-conducting media; at least one data interface connector coupled to at least one of said modems and operative to establish a data signal connection with a data terminal equipment unit; first and second power couplers each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, and each having a respective one of first and second power signal ports, each signal port being operative to pass only a power signal, and the second power signal port being coupled to the first power signal port; and a power supply coupled to the first power signal port and to at least one of said modems to be powered by the power signal and to power said modem, wherein the device is configured to allow the communication of a first data rate signal over one of the first and second electrically-conducting medium to be independent of the communication of a second data rate signal over the other electrically-conducting medium.
 100. The device according to claim 99, wherein the power signal is a direct current signal.
 101. The device according to claim 99, wherein the device has an address.
 102. The device according to claim 101, wherein the address is assigned by a data terminal equipment unit connectable to the device.
 103. The device according to claim 102, wherein the power signal is a direct current signal.
 104. The device according to claim 99, wherein the device is assigned an address via automatic assignment by the local area network.
 105. The device according to claim 99, wherein at least one of the couplers comprises a center tap transformer.
 106. The device according to claim 99, wherein at least some of the couplers include center tap transformers.
 107. The device according to claim 99, wherein the higher data rate signal has a different protocol than the lower data rate signal.
 108. The device according to claim 107, wherein the power signal is a direct current signal.
 109. The device according to claim 99, wherein the first data rate signal is a high data rate signal, and the second data rate signal is a low data rate signal.
 110. A power outlet for powering an apparatus with a power signal carried over wiring, the outlet comprising: a wiring connector operative for connecting to the wiring; a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said wiring connector to receive operating power from the power signal; a power connector coupled to said wiring connector for connecting to the apparatus for powering the apparatus by the power signal; a monitoring device coupled to be powered by said power supply and coupled to said power connector for monitoring the power consumption of the apparatus; and a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said power connector, said power supply and said monitoring device, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a mating wall opening, or into an outlet receptacle, or into an outlet opening, and the wiring includes power line wiring for carrying a AC power signal, said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the power line wiring, and said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter. 